Actuator-Powered Blind Flange for Rapid Hydrostatic Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrostatic testing of flanged equipment is laborious and time-consuming due to the need for multiple bolts and complex torque sequences, which increases costs and safety risks while requiring extensive resources and time.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a rear plate, a front circular plate, an elongated shaft, and a blind flange with an actuator that allows for quick sealing and unsealing of flanged openings, eliminating the need for multiple bolts and simplifying the sealing process using an annular sealing material and actuator-powered axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blind flanges with multiple bolts and torque sequences are used for hydrostatic testing, then sealing reliability is improved, but operation time and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the complex bolted flange connection system and concentrates it into a single blind flange with an integrated elastomeric sealing element. This eliminates the need for multiple bolts and complex torque sequences while maintaining sealing reliability through the flexible elastomeric material that conforms to the flange surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs an elastomeric sealing element (flexible shell/film) that is integrated with the blind flange. This elastomeric material provides reliable sealing by conforming to the flange surface through its flexibility, eliminating the need for rigid bolted connections while maintaining seal integrity under hydrostatic testing conditions.
2Strength
If multiple bolts and complex torque sequences are used to secure blind flanges, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection and sealing functions into a single integrated blind flange assembly with an elastomeric sealing element, eliminating the separate bolts, nuts, and torque sequence requirements. This simplifies the device while maintaining connection strength through the unified structure and flexible sealing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sealing function with the blind flange connection into a single integrated assembly. The elastomeric sealing element is incorporated directly with the blind flange, combining what were previously separate components (flange, bolts, gaskets) into one unit that provides both structural connection and sealing functionality.
3Reliability
If traditional bolted flange connections are used for hydrostatic testing, then sealing reliability is improved, but productivity and testing speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential sealing function from the complex bolted connection system and implements it through a single blind flange with an integrated elastomeric sealing element. This dramatically reduces the number of components and assembly steps required, thereby increasing productivity and testing speed while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sealing element provides reliable sealing through its flexible nature, allowing quick installation and removal without the time-consuming bolt tightening and torque sequencing operations. This flexible sealing approach maintains reliability while significantly improving productivity and testing throughput.
4Reliability
If extensive labor and resources are allocated for bolt securing and torquing, then sealing reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the labor-intensive bolted connection system and implements it through a simple blind flange with an integrated elastomeric sealing element. This eliminates the need for extensive labor in bolt securing and torquing, reducing both labor costs and resource allocation while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sealing element provides reliable sealing through its inherent flexibility and conformability to the flange surface, eliminating the need for expensive and labor-intensive bolt tightening and torque sequencing operations. This reduces overall testing costs while maintaining seal integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces the time and cost of hydrostatic testing by enabling rapid sealing and unsealing of flanged equipment, enhancing safety and productivity by minimizing labor and resource requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric sealing element which is integrated with said blind flange
Implementation Method 2
an actuator which is capable of axially moving said blind flange into and out of contact with said flange opening
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for hydrostatic testing of openings in items surrounded by a flange, such as flanged pipe sections, flanged pipelines, flanged hose assemblies, as well as other flanged equipment requiring periodic pressure testing.